ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology

To read the full abstract: Dig Dis Sci. 2017;62:3110-3116

This retrospective single-centre study is the first to report the impact of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy on weight gain in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The results are consistent with data in adults, in whom weight gain during anti-TNF treatment was negatively correlated to pre-treatment BMI (1). A similar study of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis also reported a significant increase in BMI SDS (2). In these children, weight often directly reflects disease activity. Anti-TNF therapy increased weight gain and prevalence of obesity, particularly in children <10 years. Even if the conclusions are similar to those in adults, here data at 24 months from baseline and at last follow-up visit were available only for a small number of patients. Moreover, the effect of puberty was not considered. Fat mass and adiposity distribution change during puberty and patients with IBD patients often have pubertal delay. Further studies, performed in larger and more homogenous populations also in term of duration of the disease, could be useful in order to exclude possible confounding factors related to a long-lasting disease and its impact on linear growth.

1. Issa M, Weber L, Shidham S, et al. Infliximab significantly increases proportion of overweight/obese Crohn’s disease patients receiving long term maintenance therapy. Gastroenterology. 2006;130: A209.

2. Brown RA, Spina D, Butt S, et al. Long-term effects of antitumour necrosis factor therapy on weight in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 2012; 31: 455–461.